Foundation, great as it can be for covering flaws and evening out complexions, has become a dirty word. The term conjures artificial beauty rituals at a time when fresh and effortless are the name of the game. Most women would rather admit to using a tinted moisturizer or, if they're in the know, a BB cream (an Asian import that serves the same purpose). That the coverage level is about equal is irrelevant; anything in the "cover-up" category is generally shunned or reserved for evening wear, results aside.

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It's many a woman's dream to forgo cover-up of any kind (particularly in the heat of a sticky summer), but a completely squeaky-clean regimen is not always the best option. Enter a new group of lightweight perfectors that provide a subtle, invisible buffer. The French skincare brand Talika took note of the obsession with clear, flawless skin and the desire to skip the spackle and produced Skin Retouch, a gel-cream hybrid that mattifies, disguises lines and pores, and gives an overall "retouched" effect with tiny light-reflecting pigments. It's essentially a clear foundation.

Perricone MD's cult No Foundation Foundation potion and VMV Hypoallergenics' new Skintangible also depart from the makeup mold. Each boasts an SPF of 30 and the smallest possible amount of "one shade fits all" pigment, for an invisible finish. On an even lighter note, Peter Thomas Roth's Un-Wrinkle Illuminator and Olay's Total Effects Tone Correcting UV Moisturizer are skin smoothers that contain ingredients to soften lines. For a radiant, dewy finish, Tarte's Smooth Operator uses a subtle shimmer that distracts from imperfections.

Though the trend may seem more fit for a younger set, it's really for everyone — especially those women who take care of their skin and have the confidence to let it show. And whenever you need a bit more disguise, all of these products make excellent primers. But the next time you paint a full face, you may find you don't need it.